What the Uvagut TV CRTC Commitments Mean for Inuit and Northern Audiences
Iqaluit, Nunavut.
Tuesday, November 5, 2024
NITV is thrilled about the CRTC decision to provide Uvagut TV with a broadcast licence and mandatory distribution order. With the CRTC approval, we are excited to expand the television service we provide. Starting on January 20th, 2025 we are committed to providing the following:
Within the first year, Uvagut TV will be broadcasting:
5 hours of current affairs programming from local teams across Inuit Nunangat!
5 hours of children's programming per day.
No less than 80% of the programming will be in Inuktut.
Provide new and different ways for the Inuit community to participate in Uvagut TV.
And here are the exciting details!
Producer Training Workshops for Inuit and Northern Residents
Starting Wednesday, Nov 6, NITV is running a 5-week Producer Training Workshop for Inuit and northern residents. We now have 25 confirmed participants eager to learn. Training will be led by NITV Executive Director Lucy Tulugarjuk and Producer Nataq Ungalaq. Made possible by funding from the Canadian Media Fund.
This is the first of many training workshops that NITV will run over the next 5 years to help build Inuit capacity to work in media production.
The next 5-week workshop will be announced on our website: http://www.uvagut.tv/
Do You Want to Work in TV?
Late November/early December 2024:
This winter, NITV will be posting employment opportunities for new roles in production, finance, administration, communications, and programming for Inuit to work with Uvagut TV. Stay tuned to our website (http://www.uvagut.tv/) for more details and announcements.
Contact: info@uvagut.tv
We’re Expanding! A New Head Office in Iqaluit
NITV is looking for office space in Iqaluit. If you have any leads please let us know? The Uvagut TV Head Office will be located in Iqaluit, and we’re looking for space large enough for a small studio and 12 employees.
New Original Productions Coming to Uvagut TV
NITV has triggered several original productions coming to Uvagut TV in 2025!
Inuit Makers (Director: Carol Kunnuk and Gabriela Gamez): a 13-part slow-tv documentary series showcasing Inuit talents such as sewing, carving, fishing, engine repairs, tattooing and more.
GO NORTH!: a 6 x 60-minute documentary series (Director: Kim O’Bomsawin) showcasing and celebrating the ingenious and adventurous ways Canada’s northernmost Indigenous people as they travel across the vast and ever-changing landscape they call their home.
Arnaapik: a 6-part documentary series confronting the endemic and tragic world of violence against Inuit women and children. Directors: Lucy Tulugarjuk, Miali Buscemi, and Maia Iotzova).
Mangittatuarjuk: 20-minute animated short introducing viewers to a dangerous being that is said to have haunted the Arctic, preying on unsuspecting children. (Directors: Louise Flaherty and Neil Christopher)
Tundra Friends S1: a 13-episode children’s show hosted by Susan Aglukark who explores their community, play games, and navigate life issues. (Director: Roselynn Akulukjuk, Nadia Sammurtok, Neil Christopher, Louise Flaherty.)
Tuktu: a 13-part children’s show featuring five loveable Arctic animal friends learning about friendship and traditional Inuit values in an entertaining and educational way (Director: Nadia Sammurtok)
Wrong Husband: the new feature film from award-winning producer/director Zacharias Kunuk.
New Year - New Ideas
Do you have an idea for a show? We want to hear it!
Uvagut TV wants to support more original content made by Inuit! We’re looking to fund a variety of genres and programs in the coming year so start thinking about ideas and stay tuned for more details coming soon.
NITV wants to give Inuit-owned production companies broadcast licences so they can create new original content for Uvagut TV. In the first quarter of 2025, NITV will issue RFP’s (Request for Proposal - a document that outlines all the details for support from Uvagut TV including genre, format, audience, length, budget limit, timeline, and application eligibility).
Cell Phone Video Contest Coming Soon (Nov 25th)
NITV will open up a video contest across Inuit Nunangat. We want to see short films
(2-5 minutes) shot on a cell phone. The theme: HOME (tell us what ‘home’ means to you).
Prizes will be awarded for several categories and winning videos will be broadcast during Uvagut TV’s opening week starting January 20th.
Stay tuned to our website! http://www.uvagut.tv/
Media Requests: Cynthia Amsden, Roundstone Communications 416.910.7740
cynthia@roundstonepr.com